Wis. Assembly OKs amendment convention request

MADISON, Wis.—The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a resolution calling for a convention of states to develop a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The group Citizens for Self-Governance, led by Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler, has launched a national push for a convention to craft the amendment. The group contends Congress will never move such an amendment forward on its own.

Thirty-four states must request such a convention before Congress can authorize it. The Wisconsin resolution's author, Republican Rep. Chris Kapenga, says about 20 states have already passed a convention resolution.

Assembly Republicans passed the resolution on a 58-38 party line vote Tuesday. They also passed a Kapenga bill establishing a five-person convention delegation by the same margin.